Streaming Movies Cost

How Much Do Streaming Movies Cost?

Netflix and Blockbuster[1] , the two largest and most popular online DVD rental companies, also offer streaming movies. To stream a movie with either one of these companies requires a broadband connection. The movie is then more commonly watched on a television set, but may also be streamed to a computer or downloaded to a portable media player. Watching the movies on a television requires a digital media box, as well. Currently, only Netflix offers streaming High Definition content.

Typical costs:

To stream movies from Netflix, a Netflix-ready device[2] is required. Their basic streaming player is the Roku Digital Video Player[3] which costs $99.

A Netflix unlimited plan of $8.99/month or above is also required for viewing streaming movies. Included in these unlimited plans is the option to watch online on a computer.

Blockbuster has a slightly different model. To watch streaming movies on a TV requires the purchase of a MediaPoint Digital Media Player[4] . In order to buy this player, one must rent 25 movies for $99 and then the MediaPoint Player is free.

A Blockbuster online rental plan is not required for this option. Additional rentals on the MediaPoint start at $1.99.

To watch downloaded movies from Blockbuster on a computer, the Blockbuster Movielink Manager[5] is a required software download.

Blockbuster streaming movie rentals start at $1.99 for older movies, and $3.99 for newer movies that were recently released to DVD. These movies may be stored up to 30 days, but once the viewing has started, it must be watched within 24 hours.

Buying Blockbuster movies range from $8 for older movies, and $21 or more for just released movies onto DVD. Unlike the rentals, once the movies are bought, they can be watched for as long and kept for as long as one wants to.

Discounts:

Netflix offers a free two week trial. The Roku Media Box or other Netflix ready device still must be bought separately. The two week trial, however, still includes access to watching movies instantly on a computer.

Blockbuster does not currently have any promotions for streaming downloads onto a computer. Their promotion for their MediaPoint media player to watch streaming movies on TV is to pre-order 25 movies for $99 in advance and then receive the player for free.

Other Netflix-ready devices[7] mentioned such as an Xbox 360, an Internet-ready Blu-ray DVD players or television sets from Samsung or LG, or a TiVo HD DVR can be found at major retailers. Best Buy[8] , Target[9] , and Wal-Mart[10] offer some of the models mentioned in their electronics section.

Online retailers such as Amazon[11] , TigerDirect.com[12] and TiVo.com[13] also sell these devices.

TIP: Engadget.com has a comparison[14] of some of the current options available to view streaming HD content.

Note: Blockbuster does not currently offer any streaming HD content at this time but has plans to do so in the future.

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